Fingerprints

By Lucarr
  • 1000 BCE

    First use

    First use
    Fingerprints were used as a signature in places like ancient Babylon, China, Nova Scotia, and Persia.

  • Fingerprint patterns

    Fingerprint patterns
    Different fingerprint patterns were noticed. Loops, whorls, arches, and ridges seemed to make up most fingerprints.

  • William Herschel

    William Herschel
    A magistrate in India named William Herschel noticed that no two fingerprints were the same.

  • Dr. Henry Faulds

    Dr. Henry Faulds
    Dr. Henry Faulds used fingerprints to identify who had left a stray bottle lying around. He had used the evidence to find the worker who did it.

  • Identified Murderer

    Identified Murderer
    Using a bloody fingerprint left on a doorframe, police in Argentina were able to identify a murderer.

  • Use in America

    Use in America
    The New York Police Department, and others across the state, began using fingerprints as a way to identify people.

  • U.S. Courts accepting fingerprints as identification

    U.S. Courts accepting fingerprints as identification
    Fingerprints are first accepted by U.S. courts as a reliable means of Identification.

  • FBI

    FBI
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation started using fingerprints.

  • Computerized fingerprinting

    Computerized fingerprinting
    Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems were used to scan and then store fingerprints electronically.

  • FBI electronic fingerprints

    FBI electronic fingerprints
    FBI began transferring their fingerprint file to an electronic system. This made i much easier to identify criminals worldwide.